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Sci Rep
Sci Rep
Scientific Reports
2045-2322
Nature Publishing Group UK London

39223233
71397
10.1038/s41598-024-71397-0
Article
Analysis of the impact of digital literacy on life satisfaction (2019–2022) for older adults in South Korea: a national community-based panel study
Lee Hocheol Lhc0104@yonsei.ac.kr

https://ror.org/01wjejq96 grid.15444.30 0000 0004 0470 5454 Department of Health Administration, College of Software and Digital Healthcare Convergence, Yonsei Global Health Center, Yonsei University, Yonseidaegil 1, Wonju, Gangwon-Do Republic of Korea
2 9 2024
2 9 2024
2024
14 2039921 3 2024
27 8 2024
© The Author(s) 2024
2024
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, which permits any non-commercial use, sharing, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if you modified the licensed material. You do not have permission under this licence to share adapted material derived from this article or parts of it. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.
This study analyzed the effects of digital literacy on life satisfaction in older adults aged 65 years and above in modern day Korea. It utilized raw data from the 2019–2022 Report on the Digital Divide, an annual survey conducted by the Korean Ministry of Science and Information and Communications Technology. A total of 4,216 participants were assessed from 2019–2022. Correlation between digital literacy and life satisfaction was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis and polynomial linear regression analysis. Life satisfaction was significantly positively correlated with digital access, digital competency, and digital utilization in all the years. In 2019, participants’ life satisfaction score rose significantly by 0.15 with every one-point increase in digital competency. It further rose by 0.035 in 2020, 0.030 in 2021, and 0.116 in 2022. Digital literacy was consistently positively correlated with life satisfaction in each year from 2019–2022. Of the three main elements, digital competency had the strongest impact and digital information, income, and education level also significantly impacted life satisfaction. While digital competency improved steadily from 2019 to 2022, it remains below 50% for Korea’s older adult population. Further efforts are required to improve digital competency and subsequent life satisfaction among Korea’s older adult population.

Keywords

Digital literacy
Older adults
Life satisfaction
Digital access
Digital competency
Digital utilization
Subject terms

Health care
Health policy
Public health
Quality of life
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100017635 Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research 2021R1C1C2005464 Lee Hocheol http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100003725 National Research Foundation of Korea 2022RIS-005 Lee Hocheol issue-copyright-statement© Springer Nature Limited 2024
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pmcIntroduction

Given tremendous global advances in healthcare, the world’s older adult population (≥ 65 years) is projected to double from 727 million (9.3%) in 2020 to 1.5 billion (16.0%) by 20501. In response to population aging, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the "Decade of Healthy Ageing: Plan of Action," which emphasizes the importance of narrowing the digital divide to facilitate the increased use of digital technology among older adults. This is viewed as key to promote healthy aging2. The WHO has also highlighted the need to plan and implement health policies that promote successful aging using digital technology, and to develop suitable health policies adapted to aging in the digital era3. Ensuring that older adults have access to new digital technologies and diverse sources of information is beneficial to promoting successful aging. However, globally some older adults face challenges in utilizing digital technology due to their low levels of digital literacy4–6.

Literacy is defined as the understanding and skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic, collectively known as the 'three Rs'. Building on this foundation, an individual’s literacy is crucial for effective participation in social communications and decision-making processes, making it an essential competence for social engagement7. In the digital era, digital literacy is increasingly emphasized. Digital literacy is defined the ability to effectively use digital technologies based on upon the traditional competencies known as the 'three Rs'—reading, writing, and arithmetic. Specifically, digital literacy is also defined the capacity to search, evaluate, utilize, share, and create content through digital technologies using the internet and smartphone. Digital literacy enables social communication and activities through the use of digital tools such as smartphones, social media platforms, and other digital devices8. Digital literacy is essential for correctly managing the vast amounts of information available in the digital age and facilitating social activities.South Korea is projected to become the world’s first super-aged society9 with older adults accounting for more than 20% of the population by 2025. This will create societal issues, including a reduction in the economically active population and an increased burden on primary care, additional strain on national health insurance funds, greater social isolation, and heightened demands for social caregiving10. The Korean government officially launched its digital government strategy in 2021 with a vision to progressively digitalize society. Various informatization policies were announced to address population aging, with a focus on reducing the digital divide affecting older adults.

As digital technologies continue to advance, demand for digital technology and digital literacy has increased. Previous studies have reported that digital literacy is associated with a range of health determinants11, especially with social satisfaction. As access to various social activities and information has become digitalized, individuals with lower digital literacy engage in less social activities, which leads to reduced life satisfaction12. Moreover, the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019 accelerated the process of informatization globally, with most aspects of social communications, health information, and administrative services having transitioned to digital systems. The digitalization of social services has further widened the digital divide, decreasing access to information, and increasing social loneliness, thereby diminishing life satisfaction13. Particularly in South Korea, which is among the OECD countries experiencing rapid digital transformation, the digital gap among the elderly is increasing annually14. This digital gap impacts life satisfaction and it is further related to successful aging. Therefore, the capability of the elderly to utilize digital technologies is becoming an essential societal requirement in the digital era15.

Among older adults, life satisfaction increases in parallel with digital information level. People with higher digital literacy have access to more diverse information with the ability to engage in social communications offering significant psychological benefits16. High digital literacy also helps to alleviate social loneliness among older adults with diminished physical functioning, thus potentially boosting their overall life satisfaction17,18. Therefore, in contemporary Korean society, having high digital literacy is expected to enhance life satisfaction among older adults.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of digital literacy on life satisfaction among older adults in Korea’s increasingly digitalized and aging society. Therefore, this study analyzed the association between digital literacy and life satisfaction, with specific reference to the older adult population.

Methods

Study design

This community-based panel study examined the correlation between digital literacy and life satisfaction among the older adult population in Korea and identified associated factors.

Data collection

Raw data on older adults aged 65 years and above from the 2019–2022 Report on the Digital Divide, an annual survey conducted by the Korean Ministry of Science and Information and Communications Technology (MSIT), were used for this study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire interview format from September to December across each of the four years covered by the report. A representative sample was obtained via proportional stratified probability sampling in terms of region, sex, age, and estimates of standard error for the parameters of each stratum. The questionnaire was administered by trained surveyors from a professional survey company, and the data was de-identified for analysis according to the Personal Information Protection Act. Data from a total of 4,216 participants—1,089 in 2019, 1,150 in 2020, 807 in 2021, and 1,170 in 2022—were included in the final analysis.

Instruments

To measure digital literacy, participants’ level of “digital access,” “digital competency,” and “digital utilization” were assessed. Participants’ demographics and “satisfaction with daily life” were also included in the analysis. The questionnaire was developed by a panel of experts covering several fields of study at the MSIT and National Information Society Agency including IT, healthcare, and digital technology. The questionnaire possessed significant internal reliability as evidenced by a Cronbach’s α of 0.966.

Digital access

Digital access was assessed using four items: desktop computer ownership, laptop ownership, smartphone ownership, and internet access at home (1 for yes, 0 for no).

Digital competency

Digital competency was assessed using 14 items across two domains: personal computer (PC) competency and mobile device competency. PC competency was measured through items pertaining to software installation, connecting to the internet, connecting to a web browser, connecting an external drive, sending files, dealing with malicious codes, and creating documents. Mobile device competency was assessed using items pertaining to manipulating settings, using wireless internet, sending files, sending pictures, installing apps, dealing with malicious codes in smartphones, and creating documents. Each item was rated on a four-point Likert scale ranging from 1 “Strongly disagree” to 4 “Strongly agree.” The scores were converted to a 100-point scale score.

Digital utilization

Digital utilization was assessed using 50 items covering wired and mobile internet utilization, diversity of digital services utilized, and advanced internet utilization. Wired and mobile internet utilization was assessed in terms of frequency, and the diversity of digital services utilized including the internet for information searches, e-mail, messengers, social media, education, internet searches, blogs, online communities, booking transportation, financial services, administrative services, cloud services, and making appointments. Advanced internet utilization was assessed in terms of producing and sharing information, networking, social involvement, and economic activities. Each item was rated on a four-point Likert scale from 1 “Do not use at all” to 4 “Use frequently.” The scores were converted to a 100-point scale score.

Satisfaction with daily life

Satisfaction with daily life was defined as the participants’ level of satisfaction with recreational and cultural activities, financial status, social activities, interpersonal relationships, family relationships, work, physical and mental health, and political activities using a four-point Likert scale. The scores were converted to a 100-point scale score.

Participant demographics

Participant demographics included sex (male, female), age (≥ 65 years), education level (no education, elementary school, middle school, college or higher), disability (yes, no), household size (1, ≥ 2), and income (quintiles). The actual questionnaire (Korean) is attached in Appendix 1 (Table 1).Table 1 Details of the questionnaire.

Category	Number of items	Score	
Digital access	4	Out of 100	
Digital competency	14	Out of 100	
Digital utilization	50	Out of 100	
Satisfaction with daily life	8	Out of 100	
Demographics	6		

Analysis

To analyze the effects of digital literacy on life satisfaction in older adults aged ≥ 65, the collected data (2019–2022) were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 software as follows: First, the correlation between digital literacy and life satisfaction was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Digital literacy was categorized into digital access, digital competency, and digital utilization.

Second, the results were analyzed using stepwise polynomial linear regression. The dependent variable was set to life satisfaction, and the independent variables were set to participant demographics, digital access, digital competency, and digital utilization. The fit of the regression model was assessed based on the F value derived from an analysis of variance. The percentage of variance of the dependent variable explained by the independent variable was determined using the R-squared (R2) value.

Ethical considerations

This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and under the review and approval of the Institutional Research Ethics Committee of the Yonsei University Institutional Review Board, Wonju city, South Korea (No. 1041849-202,109-SB-146–01). All procedures were conducted following the relevant institutional guidelines and regulations. Informed consent was obtained from all participants or their legal guardians prior to their involvement in the study.

Results

Participant demographics

A total of 4,216 participants—1,089 in 2019, 1,150 in 2020, 807 in 2021, and 1,170 in 2022—were included in the analysis (Table 2). There were more female than male participants in each of these years: 59.9% in 2019, 56.9% in 2020, 50.8% in 2021, and 52.8% in 2022. The most common age groups were 70–74 years in 2019 (37.9%) and 65–69 years in 2020 (33.0%), 2021 (42.6%), and 2022 (41.6%). The most common education level was elementary school or lower (36.37%) in 2019 and high school in 2020 (58.5%), 2021 (39.2%), and 2022 (37.4%).Table 2 Participant demographics (2019–2022).

Variable	Year	
2019 (n = 1089)	2020 (n = 1150)	2021 (n = 807)	2022 (n = 1170)	
Sex	
 Male	496(43.1%)	496(43.1%)	397(49.2%)	552(47.2%)	
 Female	620(59.9%)	654(56.9%)	410(50.8%)	618(52.8%)	
Age	
 65–69 years	342(31.4%)	379(33.0%)	344(42.6%)	487(41.6%)	
 70–74 years	413(37.9%)	291(25.3%)	337(41.8%)	385(32.9%)	
 75–79 years	230(21.1%)	238(20.7%)	87(10.8%)	229(19.6%)	
  ≥ 80 years	104(9.6%)	242(21.0%)	39(4.8%)	69(5.9%)	
Education level	
 Elementary school or lower	400(36.7%)	130(11.3%)	166(20.6%)	294(25.1%)	
 Middle school	384(35.3%)	242(21.0%)	278(34.4%)	366(31.3%)	
 High school	266(24.4%)	673(58.5%)	316(39.2%)	437(37.4%)	
 College or higher	39(3.6%)	105(9.1%)	47(5.8%)	73(6.2%)	
Disability	
 No	1032(94.8%)	1116(97.0%)	785(97.3%)	1144(97.8%)	
 Yes	579(5.2%)	34(3.0%)	22(2.7%)	26(2.2%)	
Household size	
 1	207(19.0%)	145(12.6%)	144(17.8%)	243(20.8%)	
  ≥ 2	882(81.0%)	1,005(87.4%)	663(82.2%)	927(79.2%)	
Income	
  < 1 million KRW	200(18.4%)	78(6.8%)	85(10.5%)	194(16.6%)	
 1–1.99 million KRW	402(36.9%)	211(19.2%)	266(33.0%)	314(26.8%)	
 2–2.99 million KRW	262(24.1%)	284(24.7%)	192(23.8%)	283(24.2%)	
 3–3.99 million KRW	155(10.6%)	243(21.1%)	128(15.9%)	172(14.7%)	
  ≥ 4 million KRW	110(10.1%)	324(28.2%)	136(16.9%)	207(17.7%)	
 Digital access (out of 100)	27.4 ± 22.3	34.4 ± 24.4	44.4 ± 14.0	57.2 ± 24.2	
 Digital competency (out of 100)	37.6 ± 15.7	39.9 ± 15.0	46.1 ± 16.4	42.1 ± 16.6	
 Digital utilization (out of 100)	33.2 ± 8.2	33.6 ± 6.1	36.8 ± 12.2	62.3 ± 7.4	
 Life satisfaction (out of 100)	64.4 ± 10.7	64.9 ± 11.7	64.7 ± 9.9	64.1 ± 11.0	

The mean digital access score was 27.4 in 2019, 24.4 in 2020, 44.4 in 2021, and 57.2 in 2022, showing an increasing trend over the years. The mean digital competency score was 37.6 in 2019, 39.9 in 2020, 46.1 in 2021, and 42.1 in 2022. The mean digital utilization score was 33.2 in 2019, 33.6 in 2020, 36.8 in 2021, and 62.3 in 2022.

Correlation between digital literacy and life satisfaction

The correlation between digital literacy and life satisfaction was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis (Table 3). Digital literacy was divided into digital access, competency, and utilization, and the correlation of each of these aspects with life satisfaction were analyzed. In 2019, life satisfaction was found to be significantly positively correlated (weak) with digital access (γ = 0.265**), digital competency (γ = 0.316**), and digital utilization (γ = 0.205**).Table 3 Correlation between digital literacy and life satisfaction (2019–2022).

Year	A	b	c	D	
2019	
 a. Life satisfaction	1				
 b. Digital access (out of 100)	0.265**	1			
 c. Digital competency (out of 100)	0.316**	0.750**	1		
 d. Digital utilization (out of 100)	0.205**	0.421**	0.619**	1	
2020	
 a. Life satisfaction	1				
 b. Digital access (out of 100)	0.260**	1			
 c. Digital competency (out of 100)	0.360**	0.587**	1		
 d. Digital utilization (out of 100)	0.258**	0.446**	0.705**	1	
2021	
 a. Life satisfaction	1				
 b. Digital access (out of 100)	0.171**	1			
 c. Digital competency (out of 100)	0.311**	0.628**	1		
 d. Digital utilization (out of 100)	0.341**	0.460**	0.605**	1	
2022	
 a. Life satisfaction	1				
 b. Digital access (out of 100)	0.150**	1			
 c. Digital competency (out of 100)	0.307**	0.345**	1		
 d. Digital utilization (out of 100)	0.242**	0.341**	0.658**	1	

In 2020, life satisfaction was significantly positively correlated (weak) with digital access (γ = 0.260**), digital competency (γ = 0.360**), and digital utilization (γ = 0.258**).

In 2021, life satisfaction was significantly positively correlated (weak) with digital access (γ = 0.171**), digital competency (γ = 0.311**), and digital utilization (γ = 0.341**).

In 2022, life satisfaction was significantly positively correlated (weak) with digital access (γ = 0.150**), digital competency (γ = 0.307**), and digital utilization (γ = 0.242**).

Regression analysis

Polynomial linear regression analysis was performed to examine the effects of digital literacy on life satisfaction (Table 4). The polynomial linear regression model had a good fit in 2019 (F = 4.055, p < 0.001), 2020 (F = 6.585, p < 0.001), 2021 (F = 22.178, p < 0.001), and 2022 (F = 8.054, p < 0.001).Table 4 Regression analysis to analyze the effects of digital literacy on life satisfaction (2019–2022).

Variables	2019	2020	2021	2022	
β	SE	P	Β	SD	p	β	SD	p	β	SD	p	
Sex	
 Male	REF			REF			REF			REF			
 Female	− 0.194	0.889	0.828	− 0.119	0.270	0.660	0.897	0.662	0.176	0.052	0.729	0.943	
Age	
 65–69 years	REF			REF			REF			REF			
 70–74 years	− 0.105	0.949	0.912	− 0.119	0.323	0.712	1.786	0.719	0.013*	− 0.272	0.807	0.736	
 75–79 years	− 1.473	1.727	0.394	0.523	0.431	0.226	1.096	1.134	0.334	1.210	1.068	0.258	
 ≥ 80 years	− 4.946	2.548	0.053	− 1.203	0.550	0.029*	3.946	1.583	0.013*	4.637	2.173	0.033*	
Education level	
 Elementary school or lower	REF			REF			REF			REF			
 Middle school	1.004	1.134	0.376	− 0.138	0.625	0.826	1.232	0.921	.182	2.550	1.119	0.023*	
 High school	0.878	1.254	0.484	0.464	0.629	0.461	2.247	1.006	.026*	3.559	1.173	0.002**	
 College or higher	− 0.925	2.436	0.704	− 0.017	0.807	0.983	2.044	1.668	0.221	8.893	1.682	 < .001***	
Disability	
 No	REF			REF			REF			REF			
 Yes	− 3.643	2.174	0.094	− 0.943	0.874	0.281	− 1.341	1.947	0.491	− 3.579	2.375	0.132	
Household size	
 1	REF			REF			REF			REF			
  ≥ 2	− 2.225	1.346	0.099	0.079	0.497	0.873	1.578	0.947	0.096	− 0.043	1.0097	0.969	
Income	
  < 1 million KRW	REF			REF			REF			REF			
 1–1.99 million KRW	0.136	1.546	0.930	0.421	0.794	0.596	5.242	1.196	 < .001***	1.774	1.363	0.193	
 2–2.99 million KRW	3.343	1.678	0.047*	1.147	0.818	0.162	7.518	1.313	 < .001***	2.937	1.447	0.043*	
 3–3.99 million KRW	0.651	1.936	0.737	1.244	0.846	0.142	8.046	1.462	 < .001***	2.186	1.581	0.167	
  ≥ 4 million KRW	2.582	1.986	0.194	1.489	0.860	0.084	9.376	1.493	 < .001***	3.791	1.595	0.018*	
Digital access (out of 100)	0.033	0.033	0.031*	0.019	0.011	0.090	0.143	0.031	 < .001***	0.014	0.022	0.528	
Digital competency (out of 100)	0.150	0.038	 < .001***	0.035	0.013	0.006**	0.137	0.030	 < .001***	0.116	0.031	 < .001***	
Digital utilization (out of 100)	0.009	0.068	0.893	0.042	0.029	0.139	0.136	0.033	 < .001***	0.021	0.064	0.742	
Constant	66.936	17.091	43.938	58.275	
R-square	0.322	0.377	0.200	0.363	
F	4.055 (< .001***)	6.585 (< .001***)	22.178 (< .001***)	8.054 (< .001***)	

In 2019, the life satisfaction score was significantly higher, by 3.343, among participants with an income of 2–2.99 million KRW as compared to participants with an income of ≤ 1 million KRW (β = 3.343, p = 0.047). The life satisfaction score rose significantly by 0.033 with every one-point increase in the digital access score (β = 0.033, p = 0.031). Furthermore, the life satisfaction score also rose significantly by 0.15 with every one-point increase in digital competency (β = 0.150, p < 0.001).

In 2020, the life satisfaction score was significantly lower, by 1.203, among participants aged 80 years and over as compared to those aged 65–69 years (β = -1.203, p = 0.029). Furthermore, life satisfaction rose significantly by 0.035 with every one-point increase in digital competency (β = 0.035, p = 0.006).

In 2021, the life satisfaction score was significantly higher, by 1.786, among participants aged 70–74 years as compared to those aged 65–69 years (β = 1.786, p = 0.013), and significantly higher again, by 3.946, among those aged 80 years and over as compared to those aged 65–69 years (β = 3.946, p = 0.013). In terms of income (ref < 1 million KRW), life satisfaction was significantly higher, by 5.242, among participants with an income of 1–1.99 million KRW (β = 5.242, p < 0.001), 7.518 among those with an income of 2–2.99 million KRW (β = 7.518, p < 0.001), 8.046 among those with an income of 3–3.99 million KRW (β = 8.046, p < 0.001), and 9.376 among those with an income of 4 million KRW (β = 9.376, p < 0.001). Life satisfaction rose significantly by 0.143 with every one-point increase in digital access (β = 0.143, p < 0.001). Life satisfaction rose significantly by 0.030 with every one-point increase in digital competency (β = 0.030, p < 0.001), and by 0.136 with every one-point increase in digital utilization (β = 0.42, p < 0.001).

In 2022, the life satisfaction score was significantly higher, by 4.637, among those aged 80 years and over as compared to those aged 65–69 years (β = 4.637, p = 0.033). With reference to individuals with elementary school education or lower, the life satisfaction score was significantly higher, by 2.550, among those with a middle school level education (β = 2.550, p = 0.023), 3.559 among those with high school education (β = 3.559, p = 0.002), and 8.893 among those with college education (β = 8.893, p < 0.001). Furthermore, life satisfaction significantly rose by 0.116 with every one-point increase in digital competency (β = 0.116, p < 0.001).

Discussion

South Korea is projected to become the world’s first super-aged society by 2025. In this context, the digital literacy of older adults is an increasingly relevant societal issue. Several studies have shown that digital literacy is associated with a number of key quality life indicators, including health issues, social isolation, social activities, and communication, and thus has a significant impact on overall life satisfaction19. Accordingly, this study investigated the effects of digital literacy on life satisfaction among older adults in Korea. The key findings are discussed below.

First, digital literacy was positively correlated with life satisfaction throughout the period 2019 to 2021. Successful aging and life satisfaction are particularly relevant in an aging society. In modern Korean society, many social activities and services have been digitalized, and digital access, competency, and utilization are essential for engaging in and utilizing these activities/services. In other words, older adults can access a range of social services if they possess a higher digital literacy, which ultimately increases their overall life satisfaction. Previous studies have reported that digital literacy is an important predictor of healthy aging in older adults aged 65 years and over in Korea and has a positive impact on depressive mood, quality of life, and cognitive functioning19–21. Moreover, digital literacy is also likely to determine older adults’ degree of daily communication, such as smartphone usage to keep in touch with family22,23. Digital literacy among the elderly can be utilized not only for communication with family but also among seniors themselves. A notable example is South Korea's senior-senior caregiving program. In this program, younger seniors care for older seniors. If interactions between the elderly are conducted both face-to-face and via digital devices, a sustainable caregiving program can be achieved. Moreover, if the caregiving program can continue remotely, it is expected to significantly reduce social isolation24

Second, among the various aspects of digital literacy analyzed in this study, digital competency had the greatest impact on life satisfaction by a significant degree. The Korean government launched a digital government platform in 2022 and is transitioning various governmental services to it. Welfare and financial aid services have already been entirely digitalized, from the commencement of the application process through to disbursement. Such digitalization increases the barriers to government services for older adults who are not familiar with digital devices. A previous study reported that poor access to government policies and services and failure to receive the desired service induces social deprivation and is likely to result in poor life satisfaction25. To enhance the ability to use digital platforms effectively, it is necessary to boost public awareness through social campaigns. The Korean government has identified population groups with information vulnerability and provides digital education and easy-access smartphone education to enhance digital competency and reduce the digital divide26. The South Korean government, through local governments, has established regional digital education centers to provide digital education to the elderly. In particular, senior welfare centers serve as these digital education hubs, and seniors who have received digital competency training experience an improvement in their quality of life. However, seniors who have limited physical access to these digital hubs face an increasing digital divide, which in turn lowers their quality of life. Therefore, policies that improve accessibility to digital education centers need to be developed and implemented in the future27. Given these initiatives, information competency among older adults has continuously improved in South Korea since 2019. However, the number of older adults who are digitally literate remains below 50%, indicating the clear need for further digital competency education initiatives.

Third, digital literacy was identified as a key predictor of life satisfaction in 2021. In 2020, senior centers and cultural facilities were closed in Korea due to the restrictions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, with most social activities transitioned to virtual platforms. In 2020, the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs conducted a questionnaire survey of 1,500 older adults regarding the impact of COVID-19 on their lives. The results showed that more than 80% of the participants refrained from meeting family or friends, attending social gatherings or religious meetings, using public facilities, or engaging in recreational activities, while more than 30% refrained from hospital visits. Furthermore, 96.1% of older adult participants stated that they had increased or experienced no change in their smartphone usage.28. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Korean government disseminated information about COVID-19, health risks, and epidemiology data to the public via smartphones. Consequently, older adults, considered a vulnerable population in terms of information access, are speculated to have experienced a decreased quality of life given the limited access to information and closures of public facilities. The digital literacy gap among the elderly is growing. In this situation, we need to provide programs tailored to the level and intended use of digital literacy for the elderly. Since digital information has a vast range and variety, it is important to develop customized programs and deliver them to the right people. Particularly for the elderly, the adoption of digital platforms for telemedicine consultations and the receipt of prescriptions via mail delivery are increasingly prevalent globally. This widespread implementation of digital healthcare services underscores the essential role of digital literacy among older adults. Such literacy significantly influences their ability to leverage these technologies, which in turn markedly affects their overall life satisfaction29.Fourth, in 2021 and 2022, income had a significant effect on life satisfaction. The disruption created by the COVID-19 pandemic led to an economic recession, with older adults particularly vulnerable30. Financial difficulties, in turn, affected daily living, subsequently leading to a deterioration in older adults’ overall life satisfaction31.

Fifth, in contrast to other years, education level had a significant impact on life satisfaction in 2022. With the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Korean government digitalized various government-provided services and many public and private agencies provided digital education for older adults, the effectiveness of which was higher in older adults with higher levels of education20. Enhancing these individuals’ level of digital access boosted their life satisfaction.

This study has several limitations. First, the data used for analysis was obtained from annual community-based panel surveys conducted from 2019 to 2022. However, as the panel surveys did not remain the same each year, it was difficult to analyze individual-level trends.32. Second, this study was based on secondary data with a nationally representative sample, therefore sampling error was a risk.

Conclusions

As South Korea acknowledges the prospect of becoming a super-aged society in the digital era, the digital competency of the country’s older adults is an urgent societal issue. This is evident by the Korean government’s decision to launch a digital government platform in 2021 and to provide digitalized policies, services, and financial support. While this transition has made digital literacy an essential consideration for older adults in everyday life, the digital divide is steadily widening.

The effect of digital literacy on life satisfaction of older adults was assessed during a four-year period from 2019–2022. The findings indicate that life satisfaction increased in parallel with individuals’ digital literacy. This suggests that the government must provide better digital education for older adults. Although digital education is currently provided at public senior welfare facilities, policies that obligate public facilities to screen for and cater to the education of medically vulnerable populations should also be devised.

Second, older adults’ digital competency improved steadily from 2019 to 2022, but remains below 50%. This low competency score, despite the increases in digital device penetration, internet technology, and governmental policy support, highlights the need for a more novel approach. For instance, the senior-senior care program implemented in Korea has had a tremendous impact on promoting emotional growth and successful socialization among older adults. Thus, it may prove beneficial to link older adults who have a competent level of digital literacy with others who do not(called digital senior-senior care services).

Supplementary Information

Supplementary Information.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-024-71397-0.

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Regional Innovation Strategy through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Education (2022RIS-005), and by the National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korea government (No. 2021R1C1C2005464).

Author contributions

Lee Hocheol designed research, performed research, analyzed data, and wrote the paper.

Data availability

The study data were collected by MSIT and the Korean National Information Society Agency; the data and questionnaire are disclosed on their website. (https://www.nia.or.kr/site/nia_kor/ex/bbs/List.do?cbIdx=81623).

Competing interests

The author declares no competing interests.

Publisher's note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
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